EP2983546B1 - Hairdressing appliance provided with optimised steam projection means - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a hairdressing apparatus which comprises a steam treatment unit for treating the hair by vaporization in order to form them. In addition to the hair spray, the treatment unit of this hairdressing apparatus can also be configured to heat the hair for shaping. Such a hairdressing device allows for example, according to its configuration, to perform the smoothing, curling or embossing hair.

Hairdressers are known for smoothing, curling or embossing hair. These hairdressing appliances comprise a portable treatment unit consisting in particular of two arms, or jaws, which each have a surface that can be flat or curved. The two arms are articulated together to form a clamp configured to pinch the hair between the two surfaces disposed vis-a-vis, when bringing the two arms together. These two arms also include a gripping zone for opening and closing the clamp and its handling during styling. At least one of these two surfaces comprises a heating device for the treatment by heating the hair when they are pinched between the two surfaces. Smoothing a lock of hair is done by pinching the wick between the two surfaces and moving the clamp closed along this wick, from the root to the tip. Curling a lock of hair is done by pinching the wick between the two surfaces and at least partially winding this wick around the surfaces, the heat to fix the hair loop.

To improve the shaping of the hair, it is known to use in addition to the treatment by heating, a steam treatment, said vapor being sprayed onto the hair, as disclosed in the document EP 1 652 445 . As such, the Applicant has already developed a steam styling apparatus which is described in the patent application published under the number FR2967017A1 . In addition to the technical features described above, the hairdressing apparatus according to FR2967017A1 comprises a remote base relative to the portable processing unit and connected thereto by means of a cord. The base includes a water tank and a pump allowing, during its activation, to pump water into the reservoir to feed the clamp. One of the arms of the portable treatment unit comprises a vaporization chamber equipped with a heating device. When the hairdressing appliance has reached its optimum conditions of use and the user wishes to use steam for its styling, the pump injects water into the steam chamber; this water vaporizes under the action of the heating device and the steam is projected onto the hair by means of projection means arranged on said arm. Thus, the clamp allows the treatment of hair by heating and steam. according to FR2967017A1 these projection means comprise a nozzle ramp which is arranged on the inner face of the arm, just downstream of the heating surface and which projects the steam towards the inner face of the opposite arm, just downstream of its heating surface.

The present invention aims at optimizing the treatment by hair vapor by means of hairdressing appliances having technical characteristics similar to those mentioned above of the hairdressing apparatus described in the patent application. FR2976017A1 . Other advantages will however appear in the following description.

To this end, the invention relates to a hairdressing apparatus comprising a portable treatment unit configured to at least project water vapor on hair. In a preferred design this treatment unit is also configured to heat the hair, in addition to the vaporization, which allows treatment by heating and steam. The portable treatment unit comprises two arms configured to form a clamp provided with two surfaces disposed vis-à-vis that allow concomitantly the pinching of a lock of hair. Remarkably, the hairdressing apparatus comprises a steam spraying device configured to project steam towards the outside of the inner face of at least one of the two arms, between an edge of the surface and an edge of said arm , with an inclination towards said edge of the arm. It is understood that according to the design of the invention, the projection of the steam is effected with an inclination towards the outside of the arm equipped with said projection means and not along a path perpendicular to the internal face of said arm towards the inner face. opposite arm. Thus, if one considers the upstream and downstream sides of the portable processing unit as being defined taking into account the sense of moving this portable treatment unit when the two arms pinch the lock of hair during styling, and if the steam projection device is positioned on the downstream side of the at least one arm, the vapor projection is then performed prior to the pinch of the lock of hair and outside the downstream edge of said arm. In this case, the design of the hairdressing appliance makes it possible to anticipate the projection of the steam on the side of the lock of hair adjoining said arm, before the lock of hair is pinched between the two surfaces of the closed clamp. On the other hand, if the steam spraying device is positioned on the upstream side of the at least one arm, the vapor projection is then carried out subsequently to the pinching of the lock of hair and outside the upstream edge of said arm. In this case, the design of the hairdressing device allows to delay the projection of steam on the side of the wick adjacent to said arm, after the lock of hair is pinched between the two surfaces of the closed clamp. Preferably, the hairdressing appliance makes it possible to anticipate the projection of vapor, which favors the formation of the condensate on the lock of hair before it is pinched. This is beneficial for hair treatment.

In a first embodiment of the hairdressing apparatus that is the subject of the invention, the first arm comprises a first vaporization chamber and the vapor projection device comprises first steam projection means configured on the internal face of the first arm. between an edge of the surface of the first arm and an edge of said first arm to be connected to the vaporization chamber. In addition, said projection means are inclined towards the edge of the first arm. Thus the vapor projection is carried out of said edge of the first arm.

According to this first embodiment of the hairstyling apparatus, in a first variant, the second arm comprises a second vaporization chamber and the vapor projection device comprises second steam projection means configured on the inner face of the second arm to be connected to the second spray chamber. This makes it possible to vaporize both sides of the hair with at least the first projection means on the first arm which project the vapor outside the first arm, on the first side of the hair.

According to this first embodiment of the hairdressing appliance, in a second variant, a steam transfer system is arranged between the first vaporization chamber and the second arm. Furthermore, the steam spraying device comprises second steam spraying means configured on the inner face of the second arm to be connected to said transfer system. This also allows to spray both sides of the hair with at least the first projection means on the first arm that project steam outside the first arm, on the first side of the hair. In addition, the transfer system makes it possible to dispense with a second spray chamber on the second arm, which considerably simplifies the design of the apparatus and reduces its weight and manufacturing cost, or even the consumption of fuel. 'electric energy.

In one embodiment of these two aforementioned variants of the hairdressing appliance, the second steam spraying means are configured between an edge of the surface of the second arm and an edge of said second arm and have an inclination towards said edge of the second arm. This makes it possible to project the steam apart not only on the first side of the lock of hair, but also on the second side of the lock of hair. It is understood that, according to these two embodiments, it is not excluded to implement second conventional projection means, that is to say second projection means configured to project steam towards the face internal of the first arm, between the edge of the surface of the first arm and the edge of said arm, without deporting outside the second arm the vaporization on the second side of the lock of hair.

In a second variant of the hairdressing apparatus that is the subject of the invention, the first arm comprises a first vaporization chamber and the vapor projection device comprises first steam projection means configured on the internal face of the first arm to be connected to the spray chamber. In addition, a vapor transfer system is arranged between the first vaporization chamber and the second arm, the vapor jet apparatus comprising second steam projecting means configured on the inner face of the second arm between an edge of the vapor chamber. second arm surface and an edge of said second arm and inclined towards said second arm edge. It is understood that according to this embodiment, the second projection means deport the vapor projection outside the second arm on the second side of the lock of hair, the first projection means ensuring any steam projection, for example a conventional projection towards the inner face of the second arm, between the edge the surface of the second arm and the edge of said second arm.

In a preferred embodiment of the above-mentioned transfer system on both embodiments of the hairdressing apparatus, said transfer system comprises a first conduit portion configured on the first arm to be connected to the vaporization chamber and a second portion of conduit configured on the second arm to be connected to the second projection means, said first and second conduit portions being configured to communicate with each other when closing the clamp and constitute a conduit. This design advantageously makes it possible to optimize the arrangement of the duct on the portable treatment unit in order to reduce the length and bulk of said duct. Reducing the length of the duct has the advantage of reducing the flow losses of the steam during its projection.

Preferably, the first duct portion comprises a male end and the second duct portion comprises a female end, said male and female ends being configured to fit one into the other when closing the clamp. This ensures a seal between the two duct portions to ensure a continuity of steam flow and avoid a loss of flow during the transfer of steam from the first arm to the second arm. The connection between the ends is preferably sealed.

According to a third variant embodiment of the hairdressing apparatus which is the subject of the invention, the first arm comprises a vaporization chamber and the steam projection device comprises first steam projection means configured on the internal face of the first arm between an edge of the surface and an edge of said first arm for projecting steam towards the inner face of the second arm, in an area between an edge of the surface of the second arm and the edge of said second arm. In addition, the steam projection device comprises a deflector configured in said zone of the second arm for returning the vapor coming from the first projection means, towards the outside of the inner face of the second arm with an inclination towards the edge of said second arm. According to this conception, the first projection means ensures a vaporization of the first side of the lock of hair close to the pinching surfaces, while the deflector returns the steam passed through the lock of hair towards the edge of the second arm to deport the vaporization outside the second arm.

In a variant of this third embodiment of the hairdressing appliance, the latter comprises means configured to facilitate the projection of steam through the lock of hair, from the first arm to the deflector. Thus the steam projected by the first projection means more easily reaches the deflector without significant loss of flow, which optimizes the return of steam by said deflector.

According to an embodiment of this variant, the first arm comprises teeth which are each provided with at least one steam projection orifice towards the deflector, said teeth being connected to the vaporization chamber. This design allows the teeth to pass through the lock of hair and then directly project steam on the baffle, which has the advantage of ensuring the return of this steam by the baffle, regardless of the density of the wick. hair that conditions the passage of steam through it. Thus, this design ensures a balanced spray on both sides of the lock of hair, regardless of the type of hair styled.

According to another embodiment of this variant, the longitudinal outer edge of the deflector has the shape of a comb configured to come into contact with the lock of hair and comb it. This makes it possible to prepare the lock of hair and to aerate said hair before the projection of steam by the first projection means on the first arm and, thus, to facilitate the passage of the vapor through said lock of hair and the projection steam to the baffle without significant loss of flow.

According to the third embodiment of the hairdressing appliance, the baffle is in the form of a bowl which has a water drop cross section. This shape makes it possible to return the steam along an inclined trajectory toward the edge of the second arm.

Thus, the steam is projected out of the arm on the second side of the lock of hair. However, it is possible to provide variant shapes of the bowl fulfilling the same function.

According to the hairdressing apparatus object of the invention, the projection means consist of a nozzle or a slot ramp. Such a nozzle manifold is configured to project uniformly distributed vapor streams while such a projection slot is configured to project the vapor uniformly and continuously over the lock of hair.

The hairdressing apparatus according to the invention having the aforementioned characteristics, can have different configurations. Thus, according to the invention, the surfaces can be configured to allow the smoothing, wrapping and / or embossing of the hair.

• La figure 1 illustre une vue d'ensemble d'un appareil de coiffure du type lisseur ;
• La figure 2 illustre un premier mode de réalisation des éléments actifs de l'unité de traitement de l'appareil de coiffure, agencés dans les portions extrêmes des bras formant la pince ;
• Les figures 3 et 4 illustrent une variante de conception de la figure 2 ;
• La figure 5 illustre un second mode de réalisation des éléments actifs de l'unité de traitement de l'appareil de coiffure ;
• La figure 6 schématise une première variante de conception de la figure 5 qui montre les éléments actifs sur un premier bras de l'unité de traitement mettant en évidence des dents permettant la projection de vapeur ;
• Les figures 7 et 8 illustrent une section transversale de l'unité de traitement ayant une conception respectivement selon les figures 5 et 6 ;
• La figure 9 illustre une seconde variante de conception de la figure 5 montrant un peigne agencé sur le second bras ;

The following description highlights the features and advantages of the hairdressing apparatus according to the invention. This description is based on figures considered in a non-limiting way, among which:

• The figure 1 illustrates an overview of a hair styling apparatus of the straightener type;
• The figure 2 illustrates a first embodiment of the active elements of the treatment unit of the hairdressing apparatus, arranged in the end portions of the arms forming the clamp;
• The Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a variant of the design of the figure 2 ;
• The figure 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the active elements of the treatment unit of the hairdressing apparatus;
• The figure 6 schematizes a first variant of the design of the figure 5 which shows the active elements on a first arm of the treatment unit highlighting teeth for vapor projection;
• The Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a cross section of the treatment unit having a design respectively according to the figures 5 and 6 ;
• The figure 9 illustrates a second variant of the design of the figure 5 showing a comb arranged on the second arm;

In the following description, the same references are used to designate the same or similar characteristics according to the different design variants of the hairdressing apparatus according to the invention which are described in support of the Figures 1 to 9 .

On the figure 1 , the hairdressing apparatus 1 object of the invention is a hair straightener. It comprises a portable processing unit 2 and a remote base 3, connected to each other by means of a cord 4 which makes it possible to supply electricity and water to the portable treatment unit 2 from the base 3. This base 3 comprises a water tank and a water circulation pump and is electrically powered by means of an electrical connection socket. These characteristics are already known to those skilled in the art. They are found in particular in the patent application FR2967017A1 filed by the plaintiff.

The portable treatment unit 2 comprises two arms 5, 6 - also called jaws - articulated to each other by means of a pivot connection 7, which makes it possible to form a clamp. The two arms 5, 6 each comprise on their inner face and at their distal portion 5a, 6a, a heating surface 8, 9. According to the embodiment of the figure 1 the heating surfaces 8, 9 are flat, in the form of two plates. Naturally, variations may be envisaged with curved heating surfaces, such as, in particular, with hairdressing appliances of the hair-looper type, or even corrugated heating surfaces, such as, in particular, with hairdressing appliances of the hair-embossing type. We could also consider variants with only one of the two surfaces being heated, the other surface contributing to the pinch of the lock of hair for shaping. Or another variant according to which the two surfaces 8, 9 would only allow the pinch of the lock of hair without heating it. In the description below, the two surfaces 8, 9 are heating.

The two arms 5, 6 each comprise a proximal portion 5b, 6b. These two proximal portions 5b, 6b can concomitantly be grasped with one hand, which allows the manipulation of the portable treatment unit 2 and the closure of the clamp when the two proximal portions 5b, 6b are clamped. When closing the clamp, the heating surfaces 8, 9 disposed vis-a-vis come into contact with each other, which allows the pinch of a lock of hair disposed between these two heating surfaces 8, 9. A spring 10 arranged between the two arms 5, 6 in the vicinity of the pivot connection 7, allows the opening of the clamp when ceases to serrate with the hand.

As illustrated in figure 1 , the first arm 5 comprises at its distal portion 5a, a vaporization chamber 11 which allows the creation of steam that will be projected onto the lock of hair before being clamped between the two heating surfaces 8, 9 of the clamp closed position.

In one embodiment, the portable treatment unit 2 of the hairdressing appliance 1 according to the invention may have similar technical characteristics to those described in the patent application. FR2967017A1 filed by the applicant, as to the implementation of the heating surfaces 8,9 and the spray chamber 11, with all the advantages that provides such a design. Variants are of course conceivable for these elements, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, the heating surfaces 8, 9 and the vaporization chamber 11 each comprise a heating device consisting of a thermistor with a positive temperature coefficient, called PTC, and a device for measuring the temperature of the heating device consisting of a thermistor with a negative temperature coefficient, called CTN. In an alternative embodiment with only one of the two surfaces being heated, the other surface only contributing to the pinching of the lock of hair for its shaping, said processing unit comprises only two thermistors with positive temperature coefficient and two thermistors with a negative temperature coefficient, or even on certain known variants, a single thermistor with a negative temperature coefficient measuring the temperature of the two thermistors with a positive temperature coefficient.

On the Figures 2 to 4 are illustrated various variants of a first design mode of the processing unit 2 on the hairdressing apparatus 1 object of the invention.

On the embodiment of the figure 2 , the portable processing unit 2 comprises a first arm 5 which comprises first projection means 12 provided with a slot 13 directed towards the outside of the inner face 14 of the arm 5. This slot 13 extends longitudinally between the edge 9a of the heating surface 9, near this heating surface 9, and the longitudinal edge 14a of the inner face of the arm 5, as illustrated on the figure 2 . This slot 13 extends inside the distal portion 5a of the first arm 5 and communicates with the vaporization chamber 11 illustrated in FIG. figure 1 . Thus, the vapor passes through the projection means 12 and is projected outwardly of the first arm 5 through the slot 13, which allows to create a "curtain" of steam directed towards the outside of the first arm 5 near the heating surface 9.

As illustrated on the figure 2 the first arm 5 comprises a first portion 15a of a transfer system 15, a transfer system which may be a duct, which has a slightly conical shape and constitutes a male part of the duct 15. Likewise, the second arm 6 comprises a second portion 15b of the duct 15 which constitutes a female part of said duct 15. When closing the clamp, the first portion 15a male fits into the second portion 15b female, which allows to constitute said duct 15. This interlocking of the first portion 15a in the second portion 15b and the conical shape of said first portion 15a provides a seal of the conduit. The first portion 15a of the duct 15 communicates with the vaporization chamber 11, for example by opening directly into this vaporization chamber 11. In addition, the second portion 15b of the duct 15 communicates with second projection means 16 arranged on the inner face 17 of the distal portion 6a of the second arm 6 between the longitudinal edge 8a of the second heating surface 8 and the longitudinal edge 17a of the inner face 17 of the second arm 6, as illustrated in FIG. figure 2 . On the figure 2 these second projection means 16 consist of a nozzle manifold 18, the nozzles 18 being connected to the second portion 15b of the duct 15, for example by means of ducts or complementary circulation pipes (not shown in the figures). When closing the clamp, the first portion 15a and the second portion 15b of the conduit 15 communicate with each other; the creation of steam in the vaporization chamber 11 makes it possible, on the one hand, to directly project steam through the slot 13, towards the outside of the first arm 5 and, on the other hand, to transfer steam through the led and then projecting this transferred vapor through the nozzles, to the outside of the second arm 6. Thus, when a lock of hair is pinched between the two heating surfaces 8, 9, the portion of this lock of hair located at proximity of said heating surfaces 8, 9 receives steam on its two opposite sides.

In a variant of manufacture of the hairdressing apparatus 1 object of the invention, one could replace the conduit 15 which allows to transfer steam from the first arm 5 to the second arm 6 of the treatment unit, by the arrangement on the second arm 6 of a vaporization chamber of similar design to the vaporization chamber 11 arranged on the first arm 5, this vaporization chamber on the second arm 6 being connected to the second projection means 16.

For these manufacturing variants of the processing unit 2, with a conduit 15 arranged between the two arms 5, 6 or with two vaporization chambers 11 respectively arranged on the two arms 5, 6, design variants are possible for the first and second projection means 12, 16 on the first and second arms 5, 6.

On the Figures 3 and 4 , the second projection means 16 comprise a nozzle ramp 18, as for the figure 2 . We see on the figure 4 that the nozzles 18 are inclined at an angle α1 with respect to the internal face 17 on the second arm 6, with an inclination towards the edge 17a of the internal face 17 of said arm 6. This angle α1 is greater than 90 °, by example between 100 ° and 140 °, in particular around 120 °, which allows a projection of steam to the outside and to said edge 17a on the second arm 6 which, during styling, moves in the direction illustrated by the arrow 19 on the figure 4 . This projection of vapor is therefore downstream of the second arm 6, before the pinch of the lock of hair between the two heating surfaces 8, 9, which allows to anticipate the formation of condensate on the second side of the hair . On the Figures 3 and 4 , the first projection means 12 also consist of a nozzle ramp 20, replacing the slot 13 of the figure 2 . These nozzles 20 are inclined at an angle α2 with respect to the internal face 14 on the first arm 5. This angle α2 is equal to 90 °, which allows a vapor projection towards the outside of the first arm 5, between the edge 9a of the heating surface 9 and the edge 14a of the inner face 14 on the first arm 5. The vapor projection is therefore in the direction of the inner face 17 of the second arm 6. Of course, one can consider variations of the design of the hairstyling apparatus 1, with one and / or the other nozzle ramp designs 18, 20 or slot 13 arranged on one and / or the other of the first and second projection means 12, 16 , at least one of the first projection means 12 or second projection means 16 provide a projection of the steam with an inclination of an angle greater than 90 °, for example the angle α1 of the figure 4 towards the edge 14a on the first arm 5 and / or towards the edge 17a on the second arm 6. It could also be provided a slot similar to the slot 13 of the figure 2 but configured to project steam at an angle greater than 90 ° in a manner comparable to the angle α1 on the figure 4 .

It is also possible to provide on the internal face 14 of the first arm 5, the arrangement of a comb (not shown) in the zone situated along the edge 9a of the heating surface 9, between the said heating surface 9 and the first means 12. It could similarly be envisaged on the inner face 17 of the second arm 6, instead of the first arm 5. By comb is meant a comb as such comprising rigid or semi-rigid teeth or even a row of bristles of natural or synthetic material. This comb can be fixed permanently or removably to the inner face 14 of the first arm 5. For example, the comb can be molded directly into the material of the inner face 14 or provide the arrangement of a sliding connection between the inner face 14 of the first arm 5 and the comb.

On the Figures 5 to 9 are illustrated various variants of a second design mode of the treatment unit 2 on the hairdressing appliance 1 object of the invention.

On the Figures 5 to 9 , the treatment unit 2 of the hairdressing appliance 1 comprises a first arm 5 which has a heating surface 9 and a vaporization chamber 11 and a second arm 6 which has a heating surface 8. The first arm 5 comprises first projection means 12 'which consist of a nozzle ramp 21 of identical design to the nozzle manifold 20 illustrated in FIG. Figures 3 and 4 for the first embodiment. The nozzle manifold 21 could be replaced by a similar slot at the slot 13 illustrated in figure 2 for the first embodiment. These projection means 12 'can project steam outside the inner face 14 of the first arm 5, between the edge 9a of the first heating surface 9 and the edge 14a of the inner face 14 of the first arm 5 in the direction of the inner face 17 of the second arm 6, between the longitudinal edge 8a of the heating surface 8 and the edge 17a of the inner face 17 of the second arm 6. This second arm 6 comprises a deflector 22 which is arranged on the inner face 17 of the second arm 6, between said edge 8a of the second heating surface 8 and the edge 17a of the inner face 17. This deflector 22 is arranged above the first projection means 12 'on the first arm 5 and includes a curved shape.

On the Figures 5 and 7 , the deflector 22 has, in a cross-sectional view, a curved shape drop of water. So as illustrated in figure 7 , the steam illustrated by the arrow 23 is projected towards the outside of the nozzles 21 on the first arm 5, towards a first side of the hair 24. Part of this projected vapor passes through the hair 24 and comes against the deflector 22. The curved shape of the deflector 22 makes it possible to deflect the vapor and to return this vapor towards the second side of the hair 24, opposite the first side of said hair, as illustrated by the arrow 23. It is also noted that the shape curved in water drop of the deflector 22 makes it possible to return the steam towards the outside and the edge 17a of the internal face 17 of the second arm 6, as illustrated by the arrow 23 on the figure 7 . This promotes the formation of condensate on the second side of the hair 24 before the pinch of the lock of hair between the heating surfaces 8, 9. Note on these Figures 5 and 7 a comb 25 is arranged on the inner face 14 of the first arm 5, along the edge 9a of the heating surface 9, between said heating surface 9 and the first projection means 12 '.

On a variant schematized in figures 6 and 8 , teeth 26 are arranged on the inner face 14 of the first arm 5, along the edge 9a of the heating surface 9, between said heating surface 9 and the first projection means 12 '. These teeth 26 each comprise at their end, a projection orifice 27 which is connected by a conduit 28 to the vaporization chamber 11. The length of these teeth 26 is dimensioned so that the ends of the teeth 26 and, therefore, the orifices projection 27 are positioned above the plane of the heating surface 9 on the first arm 5. Thus, when closing the clamp, the teeth 26 pass through the lock of hair and the through holes are above the second side of the hair. As illustrated by the arrows 29a, 29b on the figures 6 and 8 , the creation of steam thus makes it possible to project steam towards the outside of the first arm by passing through the nozzles 21 and through the projection orifices 27. The vapor projected through the nozzles 21 makes it possible to vaporize the first side of the 24. The vapor projected through the projection orifices 27 is discharged by the deflector 22 and returned towards the second side of the hair 24. It is noted on the figure 8 that the shape of the deflector 22 drop of water can return the steam to the edge 17a of the inner face 17, on the second side of the hair 24, which promotes the formation of condensate on the second side of the hair 24 before their passage between the heating surfaces 8,9 of the arms 5,6 when the processing unit 2 moves in the direction of the arrow 19.

On the Figures 7 and 8 , the outer longitudinal edge 22a of the deflector 22 - corresponding to the edge 17a of the inner face 17 - is disposed at least in the same plane as the heating surface 8 of the second arm 6, or even below this heating surface. Thus, when closing the clamp, the outer longitudinal edge 22a of the deflector 22 is in contact with the lock of hair 24, which ensures a preheating of the lock of hair before its vaporization.

On the figure 9 , the hairdressing appliance 1 comprises characteristics identical to those described for the hairdressing appliance 1 of the Figures 5 and 7 except that the outer longitudinal edge 22a of the deflector 22 comprises a comb 30 formed directly in said deflector 22. This comb 30 allows the hair to be separated and aerated before the vapor is projected outwardly of the first arm 5 by the nozzles 21 in the direction of the hair and the deflector 22. The steam projected by these nozzles 21 makes it possible to vaporize the first side of the hair. In addition, the separation of the hair by means of the comb 30 facilitates the passage of vapor through the hair, said vapor passing through the hair being then deflected and returned by the deflector 22 to the edge 17a of the inner face 17 of the second arm 6 because of its droplet shape described above, which also promotes the formation of condensate on the hair before passing between the heating surfaces 8,9.

On the figure 9 , the outer longitudinal edge 22a of the deflector 22 is disposed at least in the same plane as the heating surface 8 of the second arm 6, and preferably slightly below this heating surface. Thus, when closing the clamp, the comb 30 arranged on the outer longitudinal edge 22a of the deflector 22 penetrates properly into the lock of hair. On this figure 9 , the deflector 22 comprises two adjacent bowls 32a, 32b. The first bowl 32a on the second arm 6 is disposed above the first projection means 12 'of the first arm 5. The second bowl 32b is disposed above the comb 25. Only the first bowl 32a contributes to the return of the steam towards the second side of the hair, the second bowl 32b helping to properly draw the teardrop shape of the first bowl 32a and to prevent the return of steam in the opposite direction, to the comb 25.

We can possibly combine some of the characteristics described for the modes of Figures 5 to 9 . For example, it is possible to implement a comb 30 on the external longitudinal edge (which is for example the downstream longitudinal edge if we consider the direction of passage of the device over the hair) 22a of the deflector 22 illustrated in FIG. figure 8 . Concerning the implementation of the first projection means 12 ', the nozzles 21 can be replaced by a longitudinal slot of similar design to the slot 13 described in FIG. figure 2 and throwing a vapor curtain towards the deflector 22.

Other characteristics are conceivable without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, it is possible to provide variants of hairdressing apparatus 1 which have different means for creating steam. For example, it is possible to provide a mini-tank of water directly on the first arm 5 near the vaporization chamber 11. It is also possible to completely defer the creation of vapor in the base 3 and then to convey this vapor into the Spray chamber 11.

In the examples described above in support of Figures 2 to 9 , the steam spraying device is arranged on the downstream side of the treatment unit, given the direction of displacement of said processing unit 2 defined by the arrow 19. According to this use, it is understood that the steam spraying device makes it possible to deport the vapor projection downstream of the first arm 5 and / or the second arm 6 , which makes it possible to anticipate the formation of the condensate on at least one side of the lock of hair before the passage of the lock of hair between the two surfaces 8, 9. However, it is understood that the processing unit 2 could be moved in the opposite direction of the arrow 19, in which case the vapor projection would be offset upstream of the first arm 5 and / or the second arm 6, which would delay the vaporization of at least one side of the wick. hair after the passage of this lock of hair between the two surfaces 8, 9.

Claims (15)

1. Hairdressing appliance (1) comprising a portable treatment unit (2) designed to at least project steam onto the hair, the portable treatment unit comprising two arms (5, 6) designed to form tongs provided with two surfaces (8, 9) arranged facing each other which together allow a strand of hair to be tonged,
   characterised in that it comprises a steam projection device designed to project steam towards the exterior of the inner face (14, 17) of at least one of the two arms, between an edge (8a, 9a) of the surface and an edge (14a, 17a) of said arm, said steam projection device having an inclination towards said edge (14a, 17a) of the arm, the projection of steam being performed with an inclination towards the outside of the arm provided with projection means and not according to a trajectory perpendicular to the inner face of said arm in the direction of the inner face of the opposite arm.
2. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first arm (5) comprises a first steam chamber (11) and wherein the steam projection device comprises first steam projection means (12) formed on the inner face (14) of the first arm (5) between an edge (9a) of the surface (9) of said first arm and an edge (14a) of said first arm to be connected to the steam chamber, said projection means being inclined towards said edge (14a) of the first arm (5).
3. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to claim 2, wherein the second arm (6) comprises a second steam chamber and wherein the steam projection device comprises second steam projection means (16) formed on the inner face (17) of the second arm to be connected to the second steam chamber.
4. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to claim 2, wherein a steam transfer system (15) is arranged between the first steam chamber (11) and the second arm (6), the steam projection device comprising second steam projection means (16) configured on the inner face (17) of the second arm to be connected to the transfer system.
5. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to any of claims 3 or 4, wherein the second steam projection means (16) are formed between the edge (8a) of the surface (8) of the second arm (6) and an edge (17a) of the second arm and have an inclination towards said edge (17a) of the second arm.
6. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first arm (5) comprises a first steam chamber (11) and wherein the steam projection device comprises first steam projection means (12) formed on the inner face (14) of the first arm to be connected to the steam chamber, a steam transfer system (15) being arranged between the first steam chamber and the second arm (6), the steam projection device comprising second steam projection means (16) formed on the inner face (17) of the second arm between an edge (8a) of the surface (8) of the second arm and an edge (17a) of said second arm and having an inclination towards said edge (17a) of the second arm.
7. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to any of claims 4 or 6, wherein the transfer system comprises a first portion of pipe (15a) formed on the first arm (5) to be connected to the steam chamber (11) and a second portion of pipe (15b) formed on the second arm (6) to be connected to second projection means (16), said first and second portions of pipe being configured to communicate between each other on the closure of the tongs and form a pipe (15).
8. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to claim 7, wherein the first portion of pipe comprises a male end and the second portion of pipe comprises a female end, said male and female ends being configured to slot together on the closure of the tongs.
9. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first arm (5) comprises a steam chamber (11) and wherein the steam projection device comprises first steam projection means (12') formed on the inner face (14) of the first arm between an edge (9a) of the surface (9) and an edge (14a) of said first arm for projecting the steam in the direction of the inner face (17) of the second arm (6) in an area located between an edge (8a) of the surface (8) of the second arm and the edge (17a) of said second arm, said steam projection device comprising a deflector (22) formed in said area of the second arm (6) to send the steam coming from the first projecting means (12'), towards the exterior of the inner face (17) of the second arm (6) with an inclination towards the edge (17a) of said second arm.
10. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to claim 9, which comprises means (26, 30) configured to facilitate the projection of steam through the strand of hair from the first arm (5) towards the deflector (22).
11. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to claim 10, wherein the first arm comprises teeth (26) which are each provided with at least one steam projection opening (27) in the direction of the deflector (22), said teeth being connected to the steam chamber.
12. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to claim 9, wherein the external longitudinal edge (22a) of the deflector (22) has the form of a comb (30).
13. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the deflector (22) has the form of a hollow which has a cross-section in the form of a droplet of water.
14. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to any of claims 2 to 13, wherein the projection means are formed by a set of nozzles (20, 21) or a slot (13).
15. Hairdressing appliance (1) according to any of claims 1 to 14, where the surfaces (8, 9) are configured to enable the smoothing, curling and/or crimping of hair.

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